School-based interventions have great potential to reach children from ethnically diverse, low-income backgrounds who are at high risk for obesity. However, parents provide a major source of influence for their children, and empirical findings suggest that family level participation in school-based interventions is typically low. Results from formative work show that a good way to reach out to parents is by inviting them to a performance by their children. The primary aim of the proposed R21 study is to examine the feasibility of an innovative theater program, Ready. Set. ACTION!, that reaches out to children and parents. Intervention messages will be based on the children's own experiences and thus personally and culturally relevant to children and their parents. The after-school program will run for a 12-week period and will reach parents through home food and fitness packs, home challenge activities, healthy eating opportunities, music videos developed by the students promoting healthy eating and physical activity, and play performances. The intensive portion of the program will be followed by booster sessions in which children will further enhance their skills as agents of change. The primary research hypothesis to be tested is that perceived program impact, program participation, and program satisfaction will be high among children and their parents/primary caregivers. Secondary research hypotheses, which will become primary hypotheses of a future R01 proposal, are that children in the intervention condition will significantly decrease their rate of weight gain, decrease their energy intake, and increase their energy expenditure, as compared to children in the control condition. Program impact will be assessed over a 12-month period using a randomized controlled study design with 2 intervention and 2 control elementary schools serving low-income ethnically diverse populations. The study population will include 100 students and the proposed study period is two years. The proposed research is innovative due to its use of theater as a way to reach out to older elementary school children and their families. Results from this study will provide insight into how to engage parents in school- based interventions. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21DK072972-02
Application #
7229811
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-HOP-S (50))
Program Officer
Kuczmarski, Robert J
Project Start
2006-03-01
Project End
2008-02-29
Budget Start
2007-03-01
Budget End
2008-02-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$197,472
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Robinson-O'Brien, Ramona; Burgess-Champoux, Teri; Haines, Jess et al. (2010) Associations between school meals offered through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program and fruit and vegetable intake among ethnically diverse, low-income children. J Sch Health 80:487-92
Barr-Anderson, Daheia J; Robinson-O'Brien, Ramona; Haines, Jess et al. (2010) Parental report versus child perception of familial support: which is more associated with child physical activity and television use? J Phys Act Health 7:364-8
Robinson-O'Brien, Ramona; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Hannan, Peter J et al. (2009) Fruits and vegetables at home: child and parent perceptions. J Nutr Educ Behav 41:360-4
Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Haines, Jess; Robinson-O'Brien, Ramona et al. (2009) 'Ready. Set. ACTION!' A theater-based obesity prevention program for children: a feasibility study. Health Educ Res 24:407-20
Haines, Jess; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Hannan, Peter et al. (2008) Child versus parent report of parental influences on children's weight-related attitudes and behaviors. J Pediatr Psychol 33:783-8